By James Conteh
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to decentralisation and local governance reforms, announcing the start of Phase Two of the New Localities process.
Speaking at the Kono District Council Hall, Minister Lamina said the reforms are aimed at empowering communities to participate more actively in national development. He explained that decentralisation transfers authority from central government to local councils, allowing communities to set priorities and make decisions about their own development.
Minister Lamina noted that Phase Two will involve extensive consultations with communities to reflect population growth and local realities, following the successful completion of Phase One. He emphasised that all recommendations will be based on transparency, data, and community engagement.
The Minister also highlighted plans to transform Lungi into a modern international hub, citing its strategic importance as Sierra Leone’s gateway to the world. He further reported that 81 Paramount Chieftaincy elections have been conducted nationwide, and proposed amendments to the Local Government Act are under review, alongside a review of the Chieftaincy Act of 2009 to modernise traditional governance structures.
The session concluded with a question-and-answer segment, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive local governance.
